Cockroaches are unwelcome visitors in our homes – these ear mites will even attack humans. Majority of roaches hibernate during winter to maintain their warmth. But, some remain active and get into our homes.

But can I freeze roaches to death? Yes. While this may sound like a lame suggestion, it’s a low-risk control tactic that won’t cost you a dime. Why? Cockroaches die when temperatures fall to a certain level.  

Details: Can I Freeze Roaches to Death? 

Roaches prefer temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius. When they fall below this level, the roaches will move to a warmer place. This explains why infestations are high in spring and summer.

Although roaches are cold-blooded, they can’t make the transition from room temperature to an extremely cold environment in a matter of seconds. Also, you can consider the best roach killer.

Cockroaches often die when exposed to temperatures below 15 degrees F. If you move the roaches from room temperature into a sub-zero freezer, they will die within 30 minutes.

It’s worth mentioning that you can only kill the eggs after prolonged exposure to a cold environment. The best strategy is to put the roaches into a sealed container and then place them into a freezer.

Can Cockroaches Survive In Winter?

Since roaches can adapt to low temperatures, they will adjust to the immediate temperatures and stay warm. There are plenty of ways to avoid that exposure. Maybe you’ve just seen just one cockroach – its time to act.

You’ll often find them creeping to your home when it gets too cold outside. Another survival tactic is to decrease the rate of perspiration and go into a temporary coma.

When the temperatures rise in spring, the nymphs start breeding to continue with the life cycle. According to modern science, roaches adapt to winter in different ways.

1. German cockroach

German roaches can survive in cold winter months as long as there’s ample supply of food. They group to stay warm during winter.

2. American cockroach

They hide in decaying woodpiles. As the temperature drops, they move indoors.

3. Brown-banded cockroach

When temperatures fall below 15 degrees F, they move to apartment buildings and heated kitchens. These roaches are attracted to warmth emitted by electrical appliances and live in high places.

4. Oriental cockroach

They hide in crawlspaces, floor drains, and basements where they can reproduce. Unlike the other species, oriental roaches can tolerate lower temperatures. They mate once a year, especially during cold winter months.

How Long Roaches Survive In Extremely Low Temperatures?

When the temperature falls below 7 degrees Celsius, a cockroach can die within 10 hours. But this may not be the case when temperatures drop gradually.

When temperatures fall below 0 degrees F, the roaches will die within half an hour. Of course, cockroaches will enter the hibernation-like stage to slow the metabolic rate. Also, cockroaches come out at night?

What Do Roaches Do During Winter?

You may see a few running under the carpets but most of them will move to the kitchen. Here, they can eat and mate just like in normal temperatures. When the temperature rises again, you can easily spot them.

Can Roaches infestation during winter season? Yes. This happens when they get inside our homes and hide in a warm place. When it’s too cold, we use heaters to keep our homes warm. 

That way, we create a favorable environment where roaches can live. And because roaches are nocturnal, they hide in crevices and behind kitchen appliances.

Related: Do Cockroaches Eat Bed Bugs? 

Freezing cockroaches to kill them

Is your house infested with cockroaches? Freezing is a simple method of eradicating roaches. You need a freezer and you’re good to go.

Because you can’t freeze the entire house, you should trap the roaches in a sealed bag. After that, place it in a freezer to ensure all cockroaches are dead. Remove after a few hours and dispose of it.

Other approaches to deal with roaches infestation

Whether it’s summer or winter season, there are many ways of eliminating roaches from your home.

They include: Baits and traps. You should place them in strategic places where you spot the roaches frequently.

Vacuuming – It should be emptied immediately to ensure the roaches don’t escape. Also, you can use diatomaceous earth or boric acid.

Red flags of a cockroach infestation:

1. Unpleasant odors

Roaches emit a strong musty odor. The smell gets stronger when there are dead cockroaches around the house.

2. Cockroach eggs

Egg cases may be visible behind the furniture and other hidden spaces.

3. Cockroach droppings

The droppings resemble black pepper or coffee grounds. Pay close attention to the quantity as it is a good indicator of the duration of infestation.

Once you discover the infestation, you should take action immediately to minimize the health risks associated with this insect.

Conclusion

So, can I freeze roaches? We can’t deny the fact that roaches adapt to the immediate environment which makes them difficult to control. But when you expose them to extremely low temperature, they will freeze to death.